London-based artist Archy Marshall is not one to stagnate in one routine for very long. At only 18 years old, he already maintains three separate musical projects each with their own pseudonym and musical flavor. Starting off in 2009 under what is arguably his most popularized original persona Zoo Kid, Marshall released the EP $QUALITY which turned heads among Londoners and the international community for its unique approach to the darkwave/new-wave vibe which was undergoing a major resurgence in the in late ’00s. As he neared the end of a three-year stint at an art and performance school in London, Marshall emerged again onto the music scene, this time condensing the name of the popular video game villain King K. Rool to simply King Krule. After favorable reviews for Krule’s self-titled EP, the young Londoner has returned once again with two singles from his forthcoming LP.
“Rock Bottom” is a mesmerizing four-minute story of reinvention and success in the wake of losing sight of one’s goals and struggling to cope with the pervasive sense of hopelessness. Marshall’s unique ability to craft poetic lyrics that retain a sense of simplicity and explicit meaning is perhaps one of the key ingredients that has brought him success within a musical environment increasingly inundated with bass-heavy drum patterns and repetitive synth riffs which ignore the storytelling aspect of music completely. This single’s value lies just as much in its honest account of life within the boroughs of South London as it does for the unusually catchy instrumentation that accompanies it. Tinny guitar chords, classic bass riffs, and chugging drum patterns lend the song’s sound to a curious mix of the Arctic Monkeys and Girls — blending Marshall’s unfiltered, sometimes atonal vocals with an almost surf-rock atmosphere of chords and melodies.
When taken in context with “Octopus”, the other single showcasing Krule’s new work, it’s clear the upcoming album will certainly not be indicative of a songwriter stuck in a creative funk. With a sound that I can only describe as very “David Lynch-y” (watch the video and you’ll see what I mean,) it’s safe to say Mr. Marshall is not slowing down his multi-faceted approach to songwriting any time soon.